TRANSFERRING CREDENTIALS TO CANADIAN EMPLOYMENT
In Canada, some of your credentials that were obtained outside Canada may not be recognized as an equivalent to Canadian credentials. This usually happens because of contextual differences between countries, especially within regulated careers where health and safety are important. You can find all information here. Depending on your situation you might have to assess if your qualifications will be recognized by Canada.
To understand between a regulated and non-regulated occupation in Canada, here are the following definitions:
1. Regulated: Credential evaluation is required which is usually completed by a regulatory body. Some examples of regulated professions include: Dentists, doctors, nurses, electricians, plumbers, accounts, lawyers and many more. Employees need certification or a special license to work in these occupations in Canada. More than 200 occupations in B.C. are regulated. If your occupation is regulated, find out what you will need to become certified by contacting your regulatory authority to learn what information you must provide, how long it will take, how much it will cost, and other requirements. You would need to get your foreign credentials recognized before you can work and there is a cost for this service
2. Non-regulated: About 80% of occupations are non-regulated jobs, any professions or trades that don’t require a license are considered non-regulated. Credential evaluation is not generally mandatory but some employers are legally allowed to request proof on educational/profession credentials that were obtained outside of Canada. In non-regulated occupations, there is no regulatory authority which means that Employers can decide for themselves if your foreign qualifications are valid.
How do you transfer your credentials?
There are several steps that you can take to see if your international credentials and skillset are translatable to the Canadian work force. All regulated occupations will require a special license and certification to work within Canada.
Key notes:
You must have your foreign credentials recognized in Canada before you can work and there is generally a fee associated with this service Each province/territory can give licenses to people who meet the requirements and some example jobs include accounting, carpentering, doctors, electricians and so forth. To learn more about whether your skill set, credentials or previous occupation needs a special license for you to work in Canada, please use the Job bank portal.
One of the first steps you’ll need to take is using the FOREIGN CREDENTIAL RECOGNITION IN CANADA TOOL. This will provide newcomers the information on whether your previous job/career is translatable into a Canadian job and also explain requirements such as:
if your job is in a regulated occupation who is the regulatory body what kind of alternative job in your field you could work while you wait for the review of your credentials if there are any available jobs what is the pay and more
What are the steps in getting your foreign credentials recognized?
1. Create a Job Market Report using Job Bank - this will provide detailed information on main duties, hourly wages, job description, openings etc.
2. Find your occupational profile - the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) has occupational profiles for many professions.
3. Compare your qualifications - review and compare the qualifications with the requirements needed to work in the specific type of job within the province (British Columbia). This should include details such as licensing, registration and certifications.
4. Contact a regulatory body - The regulatory body or apprenticeship authority for your profession will inform you on what you need to do in order to receive a license or certification. You will also need to provide proof that you meet the same standards that Canadians are trained to meet through your personal training, experience and other skills.
5. Collect your documents - collect all documents related to your education and experience that can help explain your international qualifications to employers, regulatory bodies and assessment agencies. These documents can include:
Degrees, diplomas, certificates from universities, colleges, secondary school, trade schools Licensing/certification or registrations on regulated occupation Transcripts or grades of programs taken Letters from professional or regulatory bodies Employer letters of reference, performance reviews and work descriptions of jobs you’ve done previously. NOTE: PLEASE MAKE SURE THESE DOCUMENTS ARE TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH.
6. Consult an approved assessment agency - If you don’t have to get your credentials assessed as part of getting your license, consider getting assessed by an approved assessment agency. They will help show your future employers that your training compares with that of people within Canada.
If you are still unable to transfer your certifications and job skills, it is recommended that you look into classes for upgrading your certifications and skills that fall under the qualifications of Canadian training for the workforce.
Alternatively, another option is to look for any jobs that may be related to your workforce but does not require certifications. This will help boost your experience, resume and will also prove to potential employers that your skills are comparable to those that Canadians receive in training.
Suggested Prompts
How can understanding whether my profession is regulated or non-regulated influence my strategy for credential recognition and job searching in Canada?
What are some potential challenges I might face when translating and submitting my international documents to Canadian regulatory bodies, and how can I prepare for them?
In what ways might upgrading my skills or gaining Canadian certifications improve my employment prospects, even if my initial credentials are not immediately recognized?
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